StaplerCup 2025: Anniversary finale crowns three new Forklift World Champions!
25 Oct 2025
From October 23 to 25, the StaplerCup celebrated its 20th anniversary in style. The world’s best forklift drivers gathered once again at the LINDE MH ARENA in Aschaffenburg for the ultimate showdown - the Forklift World Championship. The world’s premier forklift competition thrilled more than 50,000 fans on-site and via livestream around the globe. The individual world titles went to Swetlana Lattermann from Buchholz and Benjamin Danker from Neustadt an der Donau. Team Germany secured victory in the team competition, while ZF Friedrichshafen took home the Corporate Cup Champion 2025 title.
Aschaffenburg, October 25, 2025. More forklift action than ever, three newly crowned Forklift World Champions, and a new audience record - that’s the legacy of the 20th StaplerCup, held from October 23 to 25 in Aschaffenburg.
Over 130 Forkliftheroes showcased their exceptional skills in front of thousands of fans in the arena and countless viewers tuning in via livestream. With precision, speed, and nerves of steel, they maneuvered forklifts and other industrial trucks through ever-changing courses packed with new challenges.
Time to shine: After two intense competition days and five demanding rounds, two athletes rose above the rest to claim the coveted titles of Forklift Men’s World Champion and Forklift Women’s World Champion. In a thrilling finale, Benjamin Danker narrowly defeated René Mahner, while Swetlana Lattermann edged out Regina Albert by just a few centimeters to secure her victory. The atmosphere inside the packed LINDE MH ARENA was electric as fans cheered passionately, holding their breath during the decisive moments on the legendary Kaup HeroRamp - a giant steel seesaw that once again delivered pure StaplerCup drama.
The two team competitions were just as action-packed: ten nations competed in this year’s Forklift Team World Championship, including heavyweights like Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, and China. In a nail-biting finale, Team Germany narrowly defeated the Netherlands to keep their forks in front and claim the world title.
In the Corporate Cup, where the who’s who of German industry face off each year, ZF Friedrichshafen came out on top. The four-person team impressed with flawless transitions and seamless coordination, securing first place against Waskönig + Walter from Saterland.
To mark the anniversary year, the StaplerCup team led by Sports Director Martin Stadtmüller designed a series of brand-new challenges for the courses. Drivers were put to the test with tasks like fishing for “Duck Lifts” - a quirky mix of bathtub duck and forklift model - or transporting a tray with 76 golf balls safely from point A to point B. Of course, StaplerCup classics also returned, including the crowd favorite challenge of balancing a three-meter-tall tower across the legendary Kaup HeroRamp. And for the first time in StaplerCup history, an automated guided vehicle joined the action, delivering parts that had to be assembled into a barbell. Fans in the packed arena and across social media praised the creativity of the course designers, filling the event with energy, excitement, and endless cheers.
The verdict: all-around success. “Three days full of precision, passion, and team spirit have shown just how strong the global fascination with forklift sports has become. The fact that we were able to crown new world champions in three disciplines on our 20th anniversary proves there are still plenty of forklift talents out there waiting for their moment to shine,” said StaplerCup Sports Director Martin Stadtmüller.
Benjamin Danker from Neustadt an der Donau crowned Forklift Men’s World Champion 2025
Twenty-six Forkliftheroes from around the world gathered in Aschaffenburg to battle for the prestigious Forklift Men’s World Championship title in this milestone anniversary year. In the opening rounds - the Mini Hero Course and the Wild 8 - defending champion Stefan Jenniges and 2024 runner-up Jörg Klößinger demonstrated their trademark precision and focus, smoothly qualifying for Saturday’s quarterfinals. But they weren’t the only ones to impress: several newcomers delivered outstanding performances and lightning-fast times, earning their spots among the top ten.
The newly introduced quarterfinal course, “Automated Deadlift,” brought a fresh twist to the competition. Drivers had to collaborate with an automated guided vehicle (Linde C-MATIC) to assemble a giant barbell and place it on a stand across the iconic Kaup HeroRamp. The challenge proved tough - and unforgiving. Defending champion Stefan Jenniges and four other contenders were eliminated after crossing the “red line” or damaging course elements. Jörg Klößinger, entering the round as top seed, delivered an exceptionally smooth run and advanced to the semifinals alongside Benjamin Danker, Jimmy Vleminx from Belgium, and René Mahner.
In the semifinals, veterans Danker and Mahner navigated their Big Balls Towers safely across the steel seesaw, finishing neck-and-neck with times of 5:06 and 5:11 minutes. But misfortune struck Klößinger, who was penalized for a red-line infraction, and Vleminx, whose tower dramatically collapsed on the HeroRamp - ending both of their runs.
That set up a thrilling final: René Mahner vs. Benjamin Danker. After a tense start, Mahner’s tower wobbled and fell, leaving the path clear for Danker. With calm precision, he guided his load over the Kaup HeroRamp, sealing the win and claiming the title of Forklift Men’s World Champion 2025.
Swetlana Lattermann from Buchholz wins the Forklift Women’s World Championship 2025
The competitors in the Women’s World Championship faced the same preliminary courses as the men. Sixteen drivers took on the challenge, skillfully and precisely picking up Mini Heroes with their forks and maneuvering towers of crates through the “Wild 8” course. Last year’s runner-up, Swetlana Lattermann, set the fastest time to qualify for the quarterfinals. Defending champion Tina Föhre-Scheller had to go into a tiebreaker with newcomer Melina Nicklaus after both placed 10th and 11th with identical times. In the playoff, Föhre-Scheller kept her composure, guiding the Duck Lift - a small forklift-duck hybrid - to the finish line faster and securing the final quarterfinal spot. Melina Nicklaus received the coveted forklift duck as a consolation prize.
The new “Automated Deadlift” course also demanded everything from the women. Five drivers were disqualified for rule violations, and only five of the ten competitors successfully completed the challenge. With times ranging from 5:41 to 7:09 minutes, Swetlana Lattermann, Marleen Sinikas, Bernadett Ziesch, and Regina Albert advanced to the semifinals.
In the last round before the final, the “Big Balls” challenge awaited the four drivers. Despite intense focus, none managed to get their tower of balls across the Kaup HeroRamp without it collapsing. As a result, the distance rule came into play, sending Swetlana Lattermann and Regina Albert to the final.
The final was pure drama. Regina Albert’s tower collapsed just as Swetlana Lattermann was approaching the Kaup HeroRamp. While Albert rebuilt her tower on the opposite side of the course, Swetlana’s tower also toppled over on the steel seesaw. She could only watch as her opponent carefully rebuilt and made her way toward the ramp - with no time limit in the final, everything was still possible. But as fate would have it, Albert’s tower fell again, this time on the ramp itself. With both competitors reaching the same distance, it all came down to time - and Swetlana Lattermann, last year’s runner-up, claimed victory and the title of Forklift Women’s World Champion 2025!
Germany reigns supreme at the Forklift Team World Championship 2025
The world’s best forklift drivers from ten nations went head-to-head for the Forklift Team World Champion title. In the preliminary rounds - the “Duck Lift” and “Golf Balls” courses - teams showcased different strategies and teamwork approaches. Belgium, Croatia, Slovakia, and France delivered the strongest performances and secured their spots in the next round.
For Team Croatia, however, the competition almost ended before it began. When one driver fell ill unexpectedly, Adnan Catic - already competing in the individual championship - stepped in at the last minute. His quick substitution not only saved Croatia’s place on the grid but helped the team advance all the way to the quarterfinals.
In the quarters, the tension ramped up with the Automated Deadlift Challenge and the iconic HeroRamp. Teams from Belgium, Croatia, Slovakia, France, Germany, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Slovenia fought to stay in the race. Belgium aimed to defend its 2024 title, while France was hungry for its first-ever win. But the demanding course left little room for error - only Germany, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Croatia delivered clean, fast runs to move on to the semifinals.
There, Slovakia fell victim to the tricky HeroRamp, while Croatia’s solid effort wasn’t quite enough on time. That meant a déjà vu final - Germany vs. the Netherlands, just like last year.
The grand finale was a true test of skill and nerves. Both teams had to assemble a four-meter-tall trophy and carry it across the Kaup HeroRamp to the finish line. The Dutch started strong, with Germany hot on their heels. But then disaster struck - the Dutch tower collapsed mid-ramp, clearing the path for the Germans. With trademark precision and calm under pressure, anchor driver Jörg Klößinger crossed the finish line to seal the victory and secure the Forklift Team World Championship 2025 title for Germany.
ZF Friedrichshafen claims a long-awaited victory at the Corporate Cup 2025
It had been a long time coming: ZF Friedrichshafen had been a steady favorite at the Corporate Cup in recent years - always close to glory, but never quite reaching the top. That changed in 2025. The four-person team started their campaign in style, confidently clocking a solid 7:29-minute run against Kühne + Nagel in a field of twelve top-tier corporate teams. In the quarterfinals, they faced Grüner Systemtechnik - a formidable opponent. But the ZF crew, instantly recognizable in their trademark Lederhosen outfits, kept their cool and delivered a flawless performance that secured their spot in the semifinals.
There, the notorious “Big Balls” challenge awaited. This round tested everything - timing, coordination, and nerves of steel. ZF Friedrichshafen put on a masterclass, completing the course in just 3:56 minutes, over two minutes faster than any other team. Brimming with confidence, they advanced to the grand final against Waskönig + Walter. The final began with Waskönig + Walter storming ahead, stacking their giant gym balls with impressive speed and racing toward the Kaup HeroRamp with a commanding lead. But ZF Friedrichshafen wasn’t done yet. With perfect teamwork and laser-sharp focus, they navigated their forklift through the course - closing in fast.
Then came the decisive showdown: both teams side by side on the massive steel HeroRamp, balancing their towering loads millimeter by millimeter toward the tipping point. And then - disaster for Waskönig + Walter. Their tower began to wobble and collapsed, just moments before ZF Friedrichshafen crossed the finish line. The LINDE MH ARENA erupted in celebration. The four teammates raised their arms in triumph as chants of “So seh’n Sieger aus!” (“That’s what winners look like!”) echoed through the stands. After years of near misses, ZF Friedrichshafen had finally done it - a perfectly executed performance, and a Corporate Cup 2025 victory that couldn’t have been more deserved.